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    Home » Beef

    Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe

    Published: Jan 23, 2022 · Modified: Oct 20, 2023 by Becky Thames-Simmons · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Taco cravings can happen any time, not just on Taco Tuesday. Forget the store-bought package of seasoning mix - this recipe is the bomb!

    taco seasoning mix on a plate
    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    This page contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases when you purchase using the links on this page. It doesn't increase the price of the items for you, and it helps me cover the costs of bringing great recipes to you.

    Forget the store-bought packet of taco spice mix and season ground beef or shredded chicken with this homemade taco seasoning. They're all ingredients you probably already have. This taco seasoning recipe is the bomb! And don't forget three simple steps to thoroughly infuse the seasonings into the meat.

    Taco cravings can happen any time, not just on Taco Tuesdays. I always make sure to have 75-80% lean ground beef in the freezer for just this reason.

    tacos on a white marble slab

    The flavor's in the quantity of the spices in the homemade taco seasoning recipe

    Are you tired of tacos that lack on flavorful meat? A lot of recipes use many of the same ingredients as my homemade taco seasoning recipe, but the problem is the small amount of spices called for in most of them. To get really flavorful seasoning for your tacos, you just can't skimp on the spices!

    I don't add too much cayenne for heat; to me it easily drowns out the rest of the flavors. Hubby likes spicy tacos, so he adds plenty of hot sauce.



    Three keys to the best flavor with this homemade taco seasoning recipe

    1.

    When you're browning beef, break it up into small, small pieces. This way, the spices aren't fighting to work their way into larger chunks of beef. For chicken tacos, be sure your chicken has been shredded and not cut into cubes.

    2.

    When you add the water, slow simmer it so the seasonings mix well with the water and infuse into the meat.

    3.

    Lastly, don't cook off all that spiced water - leave a bit in the pan to keep the meat juicy.


    About taco shells. I used to always eat tacos with soft flour tortillas, but later I came to prefer the hard-shell corn tortilla. To me, the crunch of the shell and the flavor of the corn take a beef taco to another dimension. My favorite shells are these Old El Paso Stand 'n' Stuff shells - you sure can load on the fixings in these shells!

    For fish and chicken tacos, though, I still prefer a soft flour tortilla.

    That said, it's all a matter of personal preference, and you should always enjoy your taco your way!

    Hungry for Latin American food?

    If you like this homemade taco seasoning mix, I think you'll really enjoy Nicaragua-Style Creamy Jalapeno Chicken! And moving a little southward, this Costa Rica Chicken is another fan favorite.


    📖 Recipe

    ground beef tacos on a plate with lime wedges

    Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe

    Tired of tacos that aren't seasoned well? This recipe will fix that!
    Print
    5 from 2 votes
    Rate and Comment
    Course: Dinner, Lunch
    Cuisine: Latin America, Mexican
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 40 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 45 minutes minutes
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 168kcal
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    Ingredients

    The Beef Filling

    • 1 pound 75-80% ground beef
    • ½ cup chopped onion
    • 1 clove garlic minced
    • 1 cup water
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
    • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
    • 2 tablespoons cumin (yes, 2!)
    • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper add more if you want more heat
    • 1 tablespoon chili powder
    • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
    • 1 tablespoon onion powder
    • 1 tablespoon paprika

    Traditional Taco Toppings

    • finely sliced lettuce
    • sour cream or Mexican crema
    • chopped onion
    • chopped tomato
    • shredded medium cheddar, or Mexican blend
    • lime wedges for squeezing

    Instructions

    • In a large non-stick skillet, over medium heat, brown the ground beef, taking care to break it up into small, small pieces. Remove any excess fat, but not all of it.
    • Turn the flame down a bit and add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Saute, stirring frequently, until the onion becomes transparent.
    • Add the water and the spices. Stir well to mix the spices into the liquid thoroughly.
    • Cover the skillet and simmer for 15 minutes. This will allow the spices to work their way into the beef.
    • Remove the lid and continue cooking at a slow simmer until most but not all of the liquid has evaporated. Remove the skillet from the heat.
    • Serve immediately with your choice of tortilla, a lime wedge for squeezing, and the traditional toppings of lettuce, cheese, onion, tomato and sour cream.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 168kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 40mg | Sodium: 352mg | Potassium: 270mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 811IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 49mg | Iron: 3mg

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    Hi, I'm Becky! Follow along with me as I share all my family's favorite recipes along with new really great new ones. I'm happily retired and staying busy in my kitchen to bring you the best recipes for unfussy time in your kitchen..

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